Epstein Secrets

nterviews with Syrians I met in Jordan or who talked with me from inside Syria by phone. My Syrian contacts described a bitter stalemate: President Bashar al-Assad holds on to power, but he has lost control of major parts of the country. The rebels fight bravely, but they lack the organization and heavy weapon

al-Qaeda extremists fester in the shadows. The opposition remains so fragmented that some rebels frankly admit they aren't ready to govern, even if Assad should fall. EFTA00718098 "We still need to find a leader," conceded one rebel commander. "We are headless inside the country." Rebel fighters s

re America and China on collision course in the tradition of Athens and Sparta, or Imperial Germany and Edwardian Britain? Some observers, such as Graham Allison and Joseph Nye of Harvard University, and recently strategist Zbigniew Brzezinski, sense that the problem is all Greek. They turn to the Athenian g

"capability," if not a weapon itself. Even one of the options that many Democrats and Republicans advocate to shake Iran — to help topple President Bashar al- Assad of Syria, Iran's only real friend in the region — could have the same effect. Inside the Obama White House, there has also been debate ab

," if not a weapon itself. Even one of the options that many Democrats and Republicans advocate to shake Iran — to help topple President Bashar al- Assad of Syria, Iran's only real friend in the region — could have the same effect. Inside the Obama White House, there has also been debate about whethe

at other Arab states would seek weapons. Even if Mr. Obama set a clear "red line" now, its credibility may be questionable. According to a tally by Graham Allison, the Harvard expert on nuclear conflict, the United States and its allies have allowed Iran to cross seven previous "red lines" over 18 years with

ves and diplomats have stepped up their contacts with Syrian rebels in part to help organize their burgeoning military operations against President Bashar al-Assad's forces, according to senior U.S. officials." This would certainly be promising news—except it is the third time in the last month administration

uld have little trouble finding suitable recipients. It hasn't because the White House isn't eager to act. The question is, will moral revulsion at Assad's crimes finally force it off the sidelines? It's understandable why a conflict that by some estimates has already cost the lives of more than 14,

17 June, 2012 Article 1. The Economist A Muslim Brother is better than a Mubarak crony Article 2. NYT At 50, the Cuban Missile Crisis as Guide Graham Allison Article 3. NYT Pinched and Griping in Iran Nicholas D. Kristof Article 4. The Daily Beast Meet Prince Salman, the Next Saudi King Bruce Riede

ing Saudi, the kingdom is nervous of what might be next. Similarly with Syria, where, with a second refugee camp being built in Jordan and with the Assad regime looking like exerting control again, that would leave hundreds of thousands of refugees permanently in Jordan, which is already vulnerable.

ama tends to create his own foreign policy headaches David Ignatius Article 6. The National Interest Could the Ukraine Crisis Spark a World War? Graham Allison Article I. Newsweek Israel Won't Stop Spying on the U.S. Jeff Stein May 6, 2014 -- Whatever happened to honor among thieves? When the National